Flameless candle

ABSTRACT

An electric lighting device created for use as a safe, long lasting, authentic looking alternative to a flame bearing candle. This electric ‘candle’ being made from real candle wax, or hollowed out candles with the wicks removed. The ‘candle’ can be scented or colored, and the glow is authentic and pleasing being viewed through real candle wax as opposed to an artificial medium. Instead of a dangerous flame, miniature lamps suspended in a clear or yellowish heat resistant medium provide the source lighting. The glow of the artificial flame is color and volume-of-output matched to that of a real flame and realism is added by simulated flame movement with the use of an adjustable oscillator circuit hidden inside the candle. This flameless ‘candle’ can be used unattended, hence the name Safety Candle, and is much more realistic than the prior art in that real candle wax, or real used candles, are used for the body of the device. In addition, the volume of light and its color output is closely matched to that of a real candle, where the prior art is focused on aspects of simulated flame movement (flicker) and no volume or color claims are made with regard to the light output.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] N/A

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N/A

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The field of endeavor to which this invention pertains is thesame as that of the use of real candles. In many instances where a realcandle can be used, the present invention can be used instead, withlittle sacrifice of attractive ambiance, or authentic appearance. Thebenefit to be gained is that the present invention does not use a real,and many times dangerous, flame as the source of illumination. Inaddition, the flameless candle will last many times longer than a candleof equivalent size.

[0005] The prior art includes electronic candle simulators as those ofIgnon, Lederer, and St. Lewis which do not include the use of realcandle wax or real pre-burnt candle bodies as a foundational element forthe creation of a simulated candle. In addition, while paying attentionto the aspects of random flicker the above mentioned prior art, do notinclude development of aspects of flame movement, color and intensitymatching in keeping with the realism of a real candle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention involves the use of real candle wax as afoundational element in the creation of a much safer electricreplacement to a real flame candle.

[0007] The obstacle of lacking realism in the prior art is partiallyovercome because real wax is not substituted with an artificial medium.Real candle wax, including wax that is not doctored, or chemicallyaltered in any way, is responsible for much of the inherent beauty of atraditional candle. Light, from a flame source, or an electric lamp,will not look the same when shining through an artificial medium, suchas plastic, for example, as that which is shining through real wax. Byadherence to a number of safety principles, the needed electronics of anelectric candle can be used in conjunction with real wax, or previouslyused candles, to provide a ‘candle’ that is much safer to use. Theresultant delicate nature of the present invention is not a deterrent asit is only as delicate as a real candle and the delicacy adds to theasthetic appeal of the candle.

[0008] The present invention also includes a flame shaped electric lampassembly where proper attention is given to match to the size of it to areal flame. This assembly, connected with its circuit, and power supplyoption make possible simulated flame motion, and light color andintensity matching. These innovations are not touched upon heretofore inthe prior art mentioned above. The resultant invention, is a much morerealistic, less mechanical, candle simulation with accurate light colorand intensity matching and ‘flame’ movement. The flame shaped assemblyis formed with a medium that because of its irregular shape, and partialtranslucency, disguises the unnatural ahape and appearance of the lampsand wires embedded therein

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0009]FIG. 1 shows a cutaway view of the flameless candle

[0010]FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the flame/wick assembly

[0011]FIG. 3 shows an electrical schematic of the invention, withoptional flame/wick variation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The Flameless Candle has its beginnings or its essence as a realcandle. Real candle wax, or an actual pre-burnt, de-wicked, and hollowedout candle is used to form the body of the Flameless Candle. In fact,there is no difference between the chemical composition of the FlamelessCandle wax body and a candle created for combustion. Therefore, all therichness and beauty of appearance, the glow-through qualities, thediversity of potential designs, including colors and essences, allremain intact.

[0013] The Flameless Candle is made of four parts.

[0014] The power supply is a common configuration 12 volt 0.1 ampplug-in AC adapter providing dc voltage. This is connected to theelectronic component which is the next part.

[0015] The electronic portion consists of a fuse, a 555 integratedcircuit timer, a 47 k ohm resistor, a 0.22 mfd capacitor, a one meg ohmpotentiometer, These are wired together to produce a variable oscillatorcircuit and then encased in resin, or hot melt glue, or candle wax (orany combination of these). This part will be inserted and glued into thecandle which is the next part.

[0016] The candle portion is a typical, good quality, scented orunscented, store bought candle that has the bottom drilled out toaccommodate the electronic portion. For appearance sake, the top portionof the candle is either burned or is made to appear burned with a torch,and/or a drill (to speed up the task of melting wax). Once an attractiveappearance is obtained, the wax is allowed to cool. A cavity is thendrilled in the bottom of the candle to hide the electronic portion, anda small hole (or holes, for a three wick candle) is drilled in theappropriate center or centers down through the top to prepare for theflameless wick portion.

[0017] The wick portion is comprised of two 12 volt 60 milliamp microlamps with leads only. (no bases). These lamps are wired together thus.Two leads are twisted together, one from each light. A thin wire isattached to these two leads and two more wires are attached to each ofthe single remaining leads of the two lamps (thus three wires-the commonis white and the other two wires are blue) A section of black heatshrinkable tubing is slid over three wires and pushed to the bases ofthe two lights. The tubing is then heated to shrink in size and alsogrip around the wires. The light elements are then dipped in epoxy anumber of times and rolled and shaped, manipulated and cut, to form theshape of a flame. Part of the end of the heat shrink tubing is alsowithin the finished “flame” portion of the wick for appearance sake andfor structural support.

[0018] The unit is assembled thus. A hole or holes for a three-wickcandle is drilled at the appropriate or approximate center of thecandle. The flame/wick portion is first tested, then inserted into thishole. Appropriate wick height is determined, for appearance, and gluedfast with hot melt glue where the wired end of the “wick” pokes throughinto the electronics cavity on the underside of the candle.

[0019] The electronics circuit, after being tested, is then positionedin the cavity at the bottom of the candle so that the user-adjustablepotentiometer will be sufficiently recessed into the cavity at alocation that will provide convenient access. It is then glued in place,with the wiring thereof rising out of cavity, along with the wires ofthe flame/wick portion. The AC adapter, after polarity is checked, isthen introduced and wiring connections are made between the flame/wick,the electronics bundle, and the AC adapter, (The connections areinsulated). The wires are then stuffed into the available area of theelectronics cavity and hot melt glue, epoxy or candle wax are introducedto encapsulate all of it filling the cavity. Proper gluing strength isapplied to the area around the AC adapter wire so that its resultantexit from the cavity some strength. This is allowed to cool or set. TheAC adapter, or a battery pack may also be connected by means of areceptacle on the circuit board.

[0020] A Flameless Candle is an imitation of a real candle and has noflame. A flameless candle was designed to look like a real candle. Forthat reason, the color of the light was carefully mimicked by theflameless candle by measuring the voltage supplied to the subminiatureassembly lamps while the assembly was placed next to a real burningcandle. This voltage was then adjusted to produce a good color match,and the voltage level recorded. This process was repeated many times tofind an average that would account for any variances in individuallamps. The average was then the standard voltage that needed to besupplied to the lamps. This is important for realism because I feel thatmany candle simulators have a light color that is too white, or tooorange, for example.

[0021] The same process was originally followed in the initial selectionof the lamp for light output. A candle flame gives out a certain amountof light. This also needed to be matched. We found that at 12 volts, forexample, that the light output was acceptably pleasing using a 60 malamp. Using two 60 ma lamps at 12 volts is an even better match I feel.The resultant light output is within perhaps 30% range of that of a realcandle, which we feel is an acceptable boundary. As in the aboveexample, often the amount of light produced by candle simulators is farabove or far below a real candle flame.

[0022] A Flameless Candle is designed to be safe. Basically, using smalllights, a flameless candle is much safer than using a real flame candle.The circuitry inside is fused by a one-time protective fuse thatprotects the circuitry from overload when there is anything wrong andthe circuitry overloads. The fuse is not replaceable. It is felt thatthe fuse is also sensitively fused so that the circuitry and candle willbe protected well in the event that anything should go wrong. Basicallythe candle is a throw-away if anything goes wrong with it. It is madethat way so there is that extra level of protection.

[0023] Flameless candles operate on electricity. Extra safety isinvolved because, flameless candles operate on 12 volts, thus lowvoltage. Thus the shock potential is limited to the UL approval acadapter only, as the candle body itself operates on 12 volts.

[0024] A flickering effect was also desired where the origin of thelight would move similar to a real candle. It is an alternatingflickering effect has two lights in the assembly that imitate therealism of a real candle by providing an varying light source. Aflickering effect was also desired where the origin of the light wouldmove similar to a real candle.

[0025] A different flickering action is also derived by switching twowires during the wiring of the flameless candle. By putting the commonwire of the ‘flame’ portion, to the fused positive and connecting a‘flame’ input wire to the output of the circuit board, a differentlighting effect is created. This simple change of the Flameless Candlecircuitry results in one light flickering and one light staying on. Thismay be a desired option because the volume of light created is more thanthat of the standard Flameless flickering action, and more closelymimicking the amount of light produced by a real flame. While thelighting effect of standard Flameless Candle flickering action isdramatic and realistic, the lighting effect of a Flameless Candle wiredto produce the Tranquil Brite effect has an even more stunning likenessto a real candle in many applications. There is also a reduction in thebrightness of the lamp that stays on all of the time when the flickeringlight is on. This is an added benefit in that it gives more flame actionfor the money, adding complexity to the glow, with no more components onthe breadboard. The effect has produced what many people have called amore tranquil effect, because there is less of a flashing effect, as onelight always stays on and there is not that brief moment in the standardeffect when the one light has just gone off, but the other has not yetcome on. The Tranquil Brite candle uses an extra 60% of electricity inproducing this brighter, yet more calming effect.

[0026] The Flameless Candle is can also be wired to accommodate abattery as its power supply. This is accomplished by using a low power555 timer IC in place of the existing. And also using 5 volt pea lampsinstead of the existing. The power voltage is approx. 6 volts. The lampsdraw 115 milliamps. The candle can run for approx. 18 hours on 4 AAbatteries. One or two transistors, depending on which flicker pattern isused, are employed at the output of the timer to handle the extracurrent.

[0027] If the Tranquil Brite® flicker style is used, the candle will runfor approx. 12 hours on 4 AA batteries. The battery pack plugs in to thecandle in the same spot as a transformer, or a ganging cord. There is aspace in the bottom of the candle to accommodate and hide the batterypack. Rechargeable or regular batteries may be used.

[0028] The Flameless Candle light assembly could also be mass producedand used to replace the regular, very common, miniature Christmas light,sold all over the place and used by everyone to decorate around theholidays. The design of this version of the flameless light is so thatthere is a filament running vertically instead of horizontally, that isessentially center tapped. The center is the common wire. The lead tothe bottom, and the lead to the top filament are also brought out to thebottom of the light. This light is manufactured in automated format on alarge scale. The light intensity, when powered at optimum color matchalso matches the brightness of a real candle flame. It is important thatneither element is overlooked of these two. The glass envelope is formedin a somewhat irregular shape, with uneven glass density so as toresemble the shape of a flame. This is so that the lamp will look lessmechanical, and give of a less mechanical looking, more uneven light. Avery slight natural yellowish tint can be added to the glass.

[0029] With a Flameless Candle you can have all the benefits of anactive and interesting candle including essence, real wax and burnt lookwith no two candles the same. The candles never burn out essentiallythus saving money. Nothing will replace a real candle of course, butthis is something for instances when a real candle may not be practical,or safe, or otherwise desired. The light flickers and thus appears moresimilar to a real flame in instances than if the light was constant.These candles, are a lot safer than real candles, and it is the hopesthat they can be manufactured to a standard that would allow them to beon continuously without being attended.

[0030] Also, in instances of remote location, where access is difficult,but placement is desired, these flameless candles can be wired directlyinto a switched circuit for convenience, such as in a high place like aledge.

I claim as my invention:
 1. A lighting device wherein the body of thedevice is made of either a scented or non-scented colored or non-coloredreal candle wax, said body being shaped with a recessed burned area withone or more burn rings, and a spill crevace, the outer body having aheat warp and tempered candle drippings, or a real pre-burnt candle thatis de-wicked and hollowed out to accept the other components of thisinvention, wherein underside of said body may have a recess for abattery compartment Wherein said artificial candle/safety device iscomprised of a flame, body, electronic, and power providing portion.Wherein the flame portion is recessed below the top of the walls of theburned section. Wherein the flame portion is comprised of twosubminiature lamps wired to result in one common wire, and two inputwires, wherein said wires are encased in a tubing medium, wherein saidlamps are encased in a clear or slightly yellow heat resistanttransparent or translucent medium, one lamp being above and to the sideof the other, the wires of said lamps being covered with or with acombination of blue or yellow insulation, wherein said flame portion isformed in the same dimensions of a burning wick, wherein lamps of saidflame portion are supplied with the electricity needed to illuminatesaid lamps to the color temperature of fire, encased portion of wireencasing tube being marked the color of burnt wick, Wherein electronicportion is powered by a low voltage of 12 v or less, wired to create andoccillating flicker of the lamps in the flame portion, wherein saidflicker is either, alternating or one lamp flashes, and the other stayslit, wherein when the latter flicker is chosen, the lamp that stays onconstant dims when the flashing light goes on, wherein the rate offlashing of supplied by said electronic portion is adjustable, andwherein a setting of the adjustment includes a constant on capabilitywhere the result is that one lamp stays on steady with no flicker andthere is no activity of the other lamp, Wherein said electronic portionis either directly immersible in the wax medium, coated with aprotective medium, or otherwise mounted inside the body of the device,wherein adjustment knob of said electronic portion is located andreachable at the underside of the device, wherein power receptacle ofsaid electronic portion, is made to accept an A/C adapter,battery/rechargeable battery pack or a ganging connector. Wherein powersupplying portion of said device is an A/C adapter with a 12 vdc or lessregulated or unregulated power supply, or a battery pack that isexternal, or can be fitted in the underside of said device, or whereinindividual power supply is absent.